Ken H - appeal

By Charlie Summerbell
May 7 2010

We got it wrong when we forecast that Hartlepool United would appeal against the Football League decision to dock them three points for playing Gary Liddle against Brighton when he should have been suspended - we said they would wait to see if they were relegated, but an appeal has gone in already.

We knew Pools chairman ken Hodcroft would not take the League points deduction AND a suspended fine by the FA lying down, but we thought he and the club would await the results of the last games of the season before making a move.
After all, they have been given 28 days to appeal and if they can go to Brentford on Saturday and better the results of Exeter (home to Huddersfield) and/or Tranmere (away to Stockport) they will be safe, even with three points knocked off their total.
But Hodcroft has clearly decided that right is on the club's side and has lodged he appeal immediately.
Pools are making no further statement, but perhaps the feeling at the Vic is that if you feel the League decision was wrong, you should appeal anyway, whatever Saturday's results.
Off the pitch, in dealing with Liddle's booking at Orient and subsequent messed-up suspension, Pools have made themselves look like amateurs.
On the pitch, they have also been poor.
Winning at Brentford would at least right some of the wrongs, whatever the outcome of the appeal.